The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-15
GET THERE ALLTHE sane.
GENERAL REVIVAL OF ENTHUSI.
ASM OVER BASEBALL,
Magic Effect OF the Near approach OF
the Opening-Diamond
Dots.

Next Monday the baseball fever will
b. gin to sweep over the city, and play
SAD havoc in the ranks Of mossbscks
and chronic grumblers. When the
season closed lstt year, with the Men,
phis club hoveriug dangerously near
zero, people mcurniully shook their
heads aud babbled OF death to the
great sport. They vowed by tie sacred
beard Of the baseball prophet that no
more would they plank down hard
esrnei sheksls TO witness wind saw
inp, dizzy dallying with the sphsre,
and other features OF fret class hip
podrome. The Southern Leagues
goose was cooked, and no amount Of
professional engineering and bypo.
dermic injections OF lucre could resus-
citate it for years to come. Thus they
sighed, and temporary sincerity was u
heavy component part of the Sigh.
Human nature and judgement are
weak, and many are the babies there
in. Today they are dead set and inn
movable in one direction, tomorrow
soft and pliable in the other. Yester-
day they refused to hesrken to the
voice Of the silver topgued manager,
today the avenues to his throne are
thronged by the mutt ude. Phenom-
enal curves, in and out shoots, and
wonderful speed, which but a short
time stree appeared to have a nause-
Gus effect on the mind, now form the
principal food on which 1t feeds.
Bankers, lawyers, merchants, doctors,
mechanics, the matron, maiden--in
short, men, women and children in all
walks of life delight in converse about
the diamond and its satellites.
For weeks past unusual interest has
been gradually developing in the sp-
preaching baeeball season and the
team being gathered together by
Manager Sneed. As soon as a player
was signed mis- merits, dement's and
record were discussed with ss much
avidity and relish as the professional
turfmen manifest when descanting
about ai,derby winner. All the an
Gent rivalry with Nashville broke out
sfresh, and wsgers have already been
laid on the result of the exhibition
games for the State championship.
The near approach OF active opera
tions In the baseball world arouses a
feeling of delightful expectancy among
the people of the plucky member
cities. On the contrary, with those
who allowed the bottom to drop out OF
their enthusiasm, they are now in the
humilisting repentance Of ssckcloth
aud ashes. This is especially true Of
Atlanta, the only ex-member that has
the pluck, enterprise and capital to
maintain an honorable position in the
Lesgue. Wealthy citizens Of the Jay
towns iroze out in the deal will have
TO content themselves with periodical
excursions to the nearest points where
a game may be Witnessed, and such
sport as amateur kid mines can afford.
The entire team engaged by Mana
ger Sneed will report for practice to-
day, and from this time forward little
time will be wasted. 1t Is an aggrega-
ton of professionals with we'll earned
laursls, and all save Lloyd are familiar
either by record or personal observa-
| ton, to almost every lover OF the
game. The exception Is regarded by
Manager Sneed as a fortunate pickup,
and in case OF disappointment his
place can easily be filed. The out
field, upon which 30 much depends
on account OF the heavy batting incl
dent to the new rules, Is especially
| strong, ard are as follows: McAleer
left field, Sneed right, and Lloyd CEN
ter. TIE infield is dandy, consisting
of Andrews fret base, Phelan secoad,
Force shortstop aud ID yle third bare
The pitchers are German, Wiegretfe
and Black, the catchers Orotty and
| Baker.
The opening game next Monday
VII be with Syracuse, which consists
largely OF old Southern League play
ers. Among them are Beard, Mari,
Bittmanu, Schellhasee, Dundon,
Orowell and Bob Clark Of the Atlanta
leim OF 1885. They will play two
games here.
The grounds have recently under
gone extensive Improvements. The
entire diamond and eighteen feet be-
yond it on all sides have been sodded
with Bermuda grass, the field has been
leveed and soWn with white clover.
leu fest awnings have been erected
over the grand stand in order to pro-
tect the felders from the sun which
gave them 30 much trouble last year.
A private box fer the press has been
arranged with accommodations for
eight persons. Altogether the changes
will materially improve the sport, and
everything points 10 successful sea-
| son.